Method and apparatus for encapsulating fluid and other material in sealed containers

ABSTRACT

This invention provides a means and method whereby materials, either liquid, plastic or solid, (e.g. foods) are encapsulated between vertically opposed sheets of plastic film such as polyvinyl chloride, by vacuum-drawing one or both of the sheets into pocket form of oversize dimensions with relation to the dimensions of a container capsule which is subsequently formed from the opposed sheets after depositing the content material into the pocket formed in the lower sheet. After deposition of the content material the sheets are brought together at the pocket margin and sealed to one another around the margin to develop a sealed capsule containing the content material. The plastic film material around the sealed margin is then severed from the capsule, preferably by heat-cutting performed as an incident to heat sealing of the margin, the suction that has been applied to form the pocket or pockets, is released, and the encapsulating film is permitted to shrink by plastic memory, into clinging contact with the enclosed contents of the capsule. In many applications, air is evacuated from the capsule during the encapsulating process, and for some foods a preservative gas is substituted.

Q 4 United States Patent 1, 13,597,899

[72] Inventor Donald LeRoy Hanson 3,347,011 10/1967 Lovas et a1 53/22 ASylmar, Los Angeles. Calil. 3,129,545 4/1964 Sloan et al. 53/112 A [2] 1p 595742 Primary ExaminerTheron E. Condon [22] Filed Nov. 21,1966

Assistant Examiner-Horace M. Culver [451 Attorney-John R Walker 111 [73]Assignee American Foods Machinery Corporation 54 METHOD AND APPARATUSFOR 3:33;: m El f f lg zj a "f g 1 ENCAPSULATING FLUID AND OTHERMATERIAL Y m e a e P a N SEALED CONTAINERS are encapsulated betweenvertically opposed sheets of plastic film such as polyvinyl chloride, byvacuum-drawing one or scum" Damn both of the sheets into pocket form ofoversize dimensions [52] US. Cl 53/184, with relation to the dimensionsof a container capsule which is 1 12 A subsequently formed from theopposed sheets after depositing 1) 2 the content material into thepocket formed in the lower 53/22 sheet. After deposition of the contentmaterial the sheets are 112A, brought together at the pocket margin andsealed mom I another around the margin to develop a sealed capsule con-[56] Rehrenm Cmd taining the content material. The plastic film materialaround UNITED STATES PATENTS the sealed margin is then severed from thecapsule, preferably 2,590,379 3/1952 Cloud 53/ l 84 X by heat-cuttingperformed as an incident to heat sealing of the 3,011,295 12/1961Brugger 1. 53/372 X margin, the suction that has been applied to formthe pocket 2,697,901 12/1954 Hosack 53/184 or pockets, is released, andthe encapsulating film is permitted 3,353,325 1 H1967 Jensen et al. 53/112 A to shrink by plastic memory, into clinging contact with the en-2,490,781 12/1949 Cloud 53/184 closed contents of the capsule. In manyapplications, air is 2,918,767 12/ 1959 Grinstead et al 53/1 12 Aevacuated from the capsule during the encapsulating process, 3,343,3329/1967 Mahaffy et al 53/22A and for some foods a preservative gas issubstituted.

Z2 Z9 21 [a r a 7 34 f p ','l/ t A" a .c u I/ 1 9s Z2 46 a I G 42 I a iea9 I I -16 o 29 3 0 a7 1 o i o z I Patented Aug. 10, 1971 I 2 Shefs-Sheet 8 20/! I'QA FIG. 12 16 INVENTOR. DONALD LJiAzvso/v BY METHODAND APPARATUS FOR ENCAPSULATING FLUID ANDOTHER MATERIAL lN-SEALEDCONTAINERS THE PRIOR ART The packagingof foods of various kinds inplastic film bags and the'lik e has become quite common in the foodindustry, andis being constantly extended to additional foods as rapidlyas feasible methods of doing so can be developed. The common method isto deposit the food content material into a preformedbag, openat itsupper end, and to then seal such open end by engaging-it betweenheat-sealing jaws. The use of preformed bags is expensive and theessentially flat shape of the bag imposesa limitation on the shape ofthe contents to be contained therein: If the content body is arelatively solid arti' cleand form retaining, the plastic bag is not asatisfactory container therefore unless the form of the food article iswithin the limitedrange of shapes to which the plastic bag canbeconformed; For example, it would be desirable to enclose Mozzarellacheese balls in inexpensive plastic containers such as bags, but theovoid shape of such a cheese ball precludes satisfactory use of aconventional plastic bag.

Methods and machines have been developed whereby plastic bags'can beformed from plastic film stock (e.g., tubing or strip film) as aninitial step in a packaging operation in which each bag is filled assoon as it is formed, and is then sealed and severedfrom the film stock.But such methods retain'manyof 'the disadvantages of the methods usingpreformed baggand are slow and therefore expensive.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Objects of the invention are to provide a methodand apparatus, whereby articles and materials of either solid, liquid orother consistency, can be encapsulated:

' l. In sealed casings directly formed from opposed sheets of plasticfilm;

2. Rapidly-and at minimum expense;

3. With completeformfitting of the enclosing casing to the content body;

, 4. By first vacuum-drawing a receptacle pocket in a sheet ofheat-scalable film material;

a. ='lhen"placing a content body, either solid, liquid or semifluid,into the pocket b. Then placing over the pocket a cover sheet of filmmaterial that is heat-scalable to the receptacle sheet to provide anencapsulating chamber; and

0. Subsequently heat-sealing the cover sheet to the pocket margin afterevacuating air from the encapsulating chamber, and allowing the pocketto shrink around the content body.

5. With the evacuation of air from the casing being attained either A a.By utilizing the shrinking of the casing to force the air therefrombetween the substantially contacting opposed surfaces of pocket andcover sheets or through small bleed passages between the sheets, justprior to sealing; or

b. Where the contents are liquid, by allowing the cover sheet to sink bygravity into contactwith the liquid surface, and then to be drawn intocontact with the periphery of the pocket by capillary adhesion.

6. With automatic shaping of the capsule by action of the casing, to asymmetrical, eye-appealing form when the contents are of liquid,semifluid or loose granular consistency; I

7. With a lack of excess casing material projecting from anysideofthe'casing;

\ These and other objects will. become apparent-in the ensuing'description andappended drawing, wherein:

FIG. I is a schematic'diagram illustrating an initial stage oftheprocessot' my invention; l FIG; 2 is a schematic'diagram illustratingan intermediate stage of the'process;

that of FIG. 2, wherein the encapsulating film pockets are broughttogether to develop an encapsulating chamber around a content body;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the apparatus,

shown on a larger scale, in a stage of the process subsequent to that-ofFIG. 3, wherein the developing capsule is evacuated;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of the apparatus, in a stage ofoperation subsequent to that of FIG. 4, wherein the capsule is sealed;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating evacuation of theencapsulating chamber by one method;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a modified form ofthe evacuating method;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a modified form of suction chamber fordeveloping suction in the lower suction cup, and showing anothermodified form of the evacuating method;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method of discharging afinished capsule;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of another method of discharging acapsule;

FIG. 11 is a schematic plan diagram of a row group of encapsulatingunits;

FIG. I2 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of the same, illustratingthe shifting of the lower group of cups between encapsulating andloading stations;

FIG. 13 is a schematic plan diagram of a block group of encapsulatingunits;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a modified encapsulating unit forsemifluid material;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of a receptacle cup for encapsulating aliquid body;

FIG. 15A is a fragmentary sectional view of the same with a cover filmapplied; and

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a finished capsule.

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION Referring now to the drawings in detail, and inparticular to paratus wherein a receptacle, (in most instances larger indiameter than the capsule to be produced as the end product) istemporarily formed by expanding, by suction, a bubble IS of plastic filmmaterial into a suction cup 16 of the proper shape and dimensions toshape the film into a receptacle pocket; wherein a cover 17 of plasticfilm material is similarly expanded by suction into bubble form withinan upper suction cup 18 to provide a cover pocket, the two pockets beingformed from respective sheets of the film material which have marginalportions 19 and 20 extending outwardly between the opposed rims of cups16 and 18; wherein a body 21 of content material (e.g., a' preformedball of processed cheese such as Mozzarella) is deposited into thereceptacle pocket 15; wherein the cover cup 18 and cover pocket 17 arethen lowered over the content body 21; wherein the cups l6 and 18 arebrought together so as to establish closing contact between the marginalportions 19 and 20 of the film sheets; thus establishing a nearly sealedencapsulating chamber 22 between the two pockets I5 and 17, with thecontent body enclosed therein; wherein air is withdrawn from the chamber22 so as'to vacuum-seal the contents (or a small quantity of inert orpreservative gas is introduced into the evacuated chamber so as toprovide a preservative atmosphere around the contents); wherein thevacuum in cups I6 and 18 is then released so as to allow the pockets l5and 117 to contract around the content body by plastic memory action;wherein the cups l6 and 18 are closed further to engage the marginalfilm portions 19, 20 between one of the cups and a heat seaIing ringelectrode carried by the other cup at its rim; wherein the electrode ismomentarily subjected to an electric current to heat it to a temperaturesuch as to heat-seal the marginal film portions 19,

20 to one another around the equator of chamber 22, thus forming asealed capsule; wherein the marginal film portions 19, 20 are severedfrom theseam formed by the heat-sealing operation, e.g., by establishingtension in the'marginal areas of portions 19, 20 immediately surroundingthe seam and utilizing such tension to pull the marginal portions awayfrom the seam when the plastic material reaches a sufficiently softenedcondition at the seam as it is being formed by heat-bonding; wherein theseam is then allowed to harden by cooling; and wherein the resultingcapsule C (FIGS. 9, is then released from between the cups 16, 18.

I find that the process can be carried out quite satisfactorily bycold-drawing the films, and the invention contemplates the use ofcold-drawing for most applications; although it is also possible toperform the process with a heating step in which the temperature of thefilms is raised above room temperature to a level at which the filmmaterial is appreciably softened without objectionably weakening it, andthe addition of such a heat-softening step may be desirable for certainapplications, as where an unusually thick casing wall may be required.

Merely by way of example of specific structure that may be utilized, thesuction cups 16 and 18 may be provided with jackets 25 and 26respectively, in spaced relation thereto so as to define therewithsuction chambers 27 and 28 respectively. Cups 16, 18 may each have aplurality of fine suction apertures 29 distributed over their respectiveareas so as to withdraw air or other gas from between the respectivesuction cups 16, 18 and the film sheets when chambers 27, 28 areevacuated.

Before applying suction to the films, they are clamped to the respectivecups (or to a mounting panele.g. 40-for a bank of cups) so as to prevententry of air around the margins of the cups, (or around the margins ofopposed banks of cups) during application of suction to the films. Forillustration, a clamping ring 42 is shown in FIGS. 3,4, and 8, forclamping the lower film to mounting panel 40 in encircling relation toan insulator ring 46, hereinafter described. A similar clamping means(not shown) is utilized for closing the upper film against the mouth ormouths of its cup or bank of cups I8 preparatory to drawing the filminto the cup or cups by suction. This prevents the films from beingdrawn over the rims of the cups and into the cups during thebubble-forming operation, and establishes tension in the marginalportions 19, of the films during such operation, whereby to effectseparation of the films from the respective capsule casing sections inthe heat-seaming operation.

Means are provided for bringing cups l6, 18 together after I contentmaterial 21 has been placed in the receptacle pocket 15, thus arrangingthe pockets 15, 17 in position to encapsulate the content material.Various means may be utilized for this purpose. For example, the uppersuction cup 18 may be mounted for vertical sliding of a tubular suctionstem 30 in a bearing 31. Any suitable means for raising and lowering oneof the cups (e.g., the upper cup 18) relative to the other may beutilized, such as a two-way cylinder actuator 32 acting upon the stem30.

The other suction cup (e.g., lower cup 16) is mounted for limitedyielding in response to pressure exerted against it by the movable cup,as the. encapsulating pockets 15, 17 are brought together around acontent body 21 as indicated in FIG. 3. Such yielding accommodates asuccession of intermediate steps including (a) closing the marginal filmportions 19, 20 against one another under yielding pressure between therims of cups I6, 18; thus establishing an encapsulating chamber; (b)subjecting such chamber to vacuum to withdraw the air therefrom, or (c)alternatively, injecting an inert or preservative gas into theencapsulating chamber as the air is withdrawn therefrom; (d) thenshifting the abutting suction cups sufficiently to engage the marginalfilm portions 19, 20 between one of the cup margins and a heat-sealingring electrode immediately encircling the other cup so as to effect aheat-sealed seam attaching the two sections of capsule casing togetherto provide a sealed casing.

By way of illustration, FIGS. 3-5 show the lower vacuum cup 16 mountedfor downward yielding movement in response to pressure applied to itsrim 33 by a compressible annular pressure pad 34 on the rim of uppersuction cup 18, the marginal film portions 19, 20 being clamped betweenthe rims under pressure determined by the yielding resistance of aspring 35 which supports the lower cup 16, being engaged undercompression between the suction jacket 25 and a suita ble base panel 36.A sliding coupling between suction chamber 27 and a suitable vacuum pump(not shown) is shown as being provided by a nipple 37 on jacket 25,slidably coupled in a mating socket 38 carried by base panel 36. As ameans for guiding the cup 16 in its yielding movement and for retainingit in accurately coaxial relation to cup 18, the cup 16 is shown ashaving a cylindrical periphery 39 joining its rim to jacket 25 andslidably received in a cylindrical guide which can include a bore in abench panel 40. Panel 40 can be supported from base panel 36 by suitablesupport means, e.g., a cylindrical sleeve 41 which can constitute aportion of the guide for slidable positioning of cup rim 39, or can bethe sole guide means, as sleeve 41A of FIGS. 6, 8.

A heat-sealing electrode 45, closely encircling lower cup rim 33, isfixedly mounted on an insulator 46 which can be a cover facing of benchpanel 40 or can be flat ring mounted thereon in encircling relation torim 33, as indicated. Electrode 45, in the example shown, is in the formofa thin cylindrical metal collar, with a cylindrical spacer andinsulator collar 47 and a compressible cushion and gripping ring 48,interposed between electrode 45 and cup rim 33. In the normal, upperlimit position of lower cup 16, its rim 33 projects above the level ofthe upper edge of electrode 45 and cushion ring 48, which rests oninsulator collar 47, is substantially level with the electrode edge.Collar 47 may be of a hard, rigid material (e.g., phenolic) providing aninternal bearing surface for cup periphery 39. Sleeve 41A of FIGS. 6, 8may provide the means for positioning the electrode 45 in coaxialrelation to rim 33, and is therefore shown as being of insulatingmaterial (e.g., phenolic).

As the marginal film portions 19, 20 are pressed downwardly against thecushion ring 48, the latter will be compressed slightly so as to yieldbelow the edge of electrode 45 (FIG. 5) thus permitting the electrode 45to establish concentrated pressure against the film portions I9, 20 on anarrow circular line, such as to produce an effective seam 55 whenmomentarily heated to a temperature suitable for bonding the filmportions 19, 20 to one another. At the same time, the compressed ring 48will apply yielding clamping pressure and frictional holding engagementagainst the lower film portion 19, supplementing the clamping action ofthe cup rims 33 and 34 in order to effectively hold the seamed marginsof the capsule casing to one another while the surrounding film portions19, 20 are severed from the seamed periphery of the easing. This area ofthe film portions 19, 20, outside the electrode 45, is stretched undertension transmitted from the distended bubbles IS, 17, and when the seamis formed, the heat-softened material at the outer margin of the seamimmediately outside the edge of electrode 45 will part (FIG. 5) underthe pull of the tensioned area of film portions 19, 20 outwardly of theelectrode while the seam 55 and the film portions inwardly thereofremain clamped between the annular jaw parts consisting of the cup rims33,34 and the compressed gripping ring 48, until the seam 55 has cooledand hardened sufficiently to secure the casing sections to one anotherwhen the cup 18 is retracted from cup 16.

Electrode 45 is connected at 56, to a suitable electrical unit E foraccumulating a charge and discharging it to electrode 45 forinstantaneous heating of the electrode during a very short timeinterval, to bond the seam 55.

For evacuating the capsule chamber 22 just prior to heatsealing, variousmethods and means may be employed. As an example ofone such means, thereis shown in FIG. 8 a suction frame 50 connected to a suitable source ofsuction at S, into which the suction cups 16 and 18 may be projected asthey are portions spread apart so that suction can be applied betweenthem. Frame 50 may be lined with a compressible gasket 51 which mayfunction to hermetically seal the frame 50 to the mounting panels 40 ofthe respective cups 16, 18.

Frame 50 may encompass opposed panels mounting any selected number ofpairs of opposed suction cups, and may apply common suction to all ofthe cups simultaneously.

Gasket 51 is operable to seal the film portions 19, to one anothersufficiently so that air will be withdrawn from chamber 22 between thelightly contacting or slightly spaced areas of marginal portions 19, 20(FIG. 4) just prior to closing of the portions 19, 20 against oneanother between the cup rims.

lnsteadof leaving the cup rims slightly spaced apart for evacuation, asin FIG. 4, they may be closed against the marginal film portions 19, 20leaving one or more small passages defined by sagging of film 19 intoone or more notches62 in lower cup rim 33 (FIG. 7).

As an alternative method and means for effecting the step of evacuatingthe encapsulating chamber 22, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the suction oflower cup chamber 27 can be applied to chamber 22 by utilizing one ormore small lances 60 to pierce themarginal film portions 19, 20 in theannular area thereof outside lower cup rim 33 so as to establishcommunication between thc'spacc between the film sheets and an annular"space 61 surrounding the rim 33. The annular space 61 is peripherallyclosed by a compressible closing collar 51A having an annular grippingjaw spaced outwardly from electrode 45.- Annularspace 61 communicateswith the interfacesv between the periphery of cup 16 and the innersurface of sleeve 41A. Thus air will be drawn as indicated by arrows,from chamber 22 into annular space 61 and thence between cup 16 andsleeve 41A into suction chamber 27, the annular space 61 being sealedfrom external atmosphere by closing collar 51. In order to leave thefinished capsule C ina fully The ejection of capsules C can be providedfor by utilizingan elongated stem 37A for elevating the lower suctioncup 25 above the webs 19, 20 as in FIG. 9, and then removing the capsuleby suitable means; a preferred method is to maintain suction to theupper cup 18 throughout the encapsulating process, to utilize the cup 18to lift the capsule C free from the perforated film strips, and then torelease the suction so as to drop the capsule C on a suitable receivingmeans (e.g., water bath or conveyor belt) disposed beneath the cup 18,as indicated in FIG. 10, at 68.

This operation is utilized in connection with an arrangement for movinga lower cup or bank of cups 16 horizontally between an encapsulatingstation beneath the corresponding upper cup or cups l8 (e.g., as shownin FIG. 12) and a loading station removed from the encapsulating stationso as to be displaced from beneath the film strips 19A, 20A tofacilitate loading or filling the lower cups 16 with content bodies ormaterials. In such an arrangement, the receiving bath or conveyor can bedisposed beneath the film strips and the capsules C are dropped throughthe openings 65 of the used areas of the film strips, while the bank oflower cups 16 is out of the way so as to leave the space below theencapsulating station free of obstruction to the downward discharge ofthe capsules into the bath or onto the conveyor.

Instead of the integral suction jacket 25 of FIG. 3 the sleeve 41A maybe utilized to define a suction chamber 27A communic'ating with theunderside ofcup 16A. as shown schematically in FIG. 8.

THE PROCESS My improved process has been largely explained in theforegoing description. It can be performed on a single cavity apparatusembodying one pair of opposed suction cups 16, 18, or on amultiple-cavity apparatus having a plurality of pairs of opposed suctioncups arranged in a row transverse to the longitudinal axis (of feedingmovement) of film strips 19A, 20A as shown schematically in FIGS. 11 and12; or a group of pairs of cups can be arranged in block formation intransverse and longitudinal rows, as illustrated schematically in FIG.13. In stead of continuous film strips, separate sheets can be insertedbetween the blocks of opposed cups.

The invention can be utilized for encapsulating a body of solidrelatively rigid material, as indicated at 21 in FIG. 3; or a body ofrelatively soft plastic (food or other) material 21A (FIG. 14) suitablydelivered into the receptacle pocket 15 and having a tendency to slumptherein; or a body of liquid 218 (FIG. 15) poured from a spout 70 intothe receptacle pocket 15 to a level which is maintained somewhat belowthe rim of cup 16 so as to avoid the possibility of its creeping overthe rim during the encapsulating process and spoiling the seaming step.Where liquid is thus encapsulated, the upper suction cup may bedispensed with and the cover film 20A is disposed over the filledreceptacle l5 and sealed thereto while in a fiat condition. Subsequentto scaling, the contraction of pocket 15 to shallower form will displacethe liquid contents against the cover film 20A, causing it to bulge soas to develop casting sections of substantially symmetrical curvature inthe completed capsule, corresponding to the capsule shape as seen inFIG. 16. l have found that liquids can be successfully encapsulated inthis manner.

Displacement of air from a capsule being formed around a body of liquidin lower pocket 15 can be effected by allowing the cover film to saginto contact with the liquid body 218, and by capillary adhesion theliquid will creep along the under surface of the cover film, will drawit into the cup 16 until the film is fitted into the annular cornerinside the cup rim 33, and will then creep upwardly between the offsetportions of the films l5 and 17 in such annular corner, until all air isexcluded from the encapsulating chamber. Thus, when the marginal filmportions 19, 20 are sealed to one another an hermetically sealed capsulewill be produced.

The invention can also be utilized for encapsulating loose or granularmaterials (e.g., salt, sugar, breakfast cereals) which may be handled ina manner generally similar to the handling of liquid materials.

Referring nowto FIGS. 1-5 as illustrating one of the processes, thesuccession of steps therein are as follows:

I. A film strip or sheet 19A is drawn or placed over suction cup 16 asin FIG. 1, in contact with the rim of cup 16;

2. The film 19A is then clamped to the cup or cups 16, as by clampingmeans 42.

3. Suction is then applied to cup 16 as indicated at S in FIG.

2, expanding the film 19A into a receptacle pocket 15.

4. A body 21 or measured quantity of content material is then placed inreceptacle pocket 15.

S. A film strip 20A or sheet of film is drawn or placed beneath the rimof suction cup 18.

6. Suction is applied to upper cup 18 as indicated at S, thus developingthe cover pocket 17 in the cover film.

Steps 6 and 5 can be performed before or after the development ofreceptacle pocket 15 and the placing of content material 21 therein.

As an alternative to steps 5 and 6, where the content material is of asoft, slumping nature, or of loose granular form or a liquid, thecovering step may be simply the drawing or placing of a cover film 20Aover the receptacle 15 after injection of content material therein, andthe subsequent clamping of such cover film against the marginal portion19 of the receptacle film, using the rim 34 of upper cup 18 withoutapplying suction thereto, or using a pressurering 34A as shown in FIG.14, in lieu of the step next described.

7. Upper cup 18 (or pressure ring 34A) is then lowered as in FIG. 3,until marginal film portions 19, 20 are clamped between upper rim 34 (orring 34A) and compressible closing collar 51 so as to seal the portions19, 20 to one another outwardly of electrode 45, sealing theencapsulating chamber 22.

8. Air is then evacuated from chamber 22, using one of the methodsdescribed above, and preferably a preservative gas is injected intochamber 22 to maintain the pockets 15, 17 distended, avoiding prematurecollapse thereof.

9. Closing movement of cup 18 against cup 16 is then extended so as toengage the film portions 19, 20 between electrode 45 and upper cup rim34 (or ring 34A), and a momentary electric current sufficient to heatelectrode 45 to bonding temperature, is then fed to the electrode. Thisforms the seam 55 and simultaneously softens the film materialimmediately surrounding electrode 45 so as to cause the surplus marginalmaterials 19, 20 to separate from the seam under tension developedtherein during the distention of the films to form the pockets 15, 17.

ID. The seam is held clamped between upper cup rim 34 (or ring 34A) andcompressed ring 48 and rim 33, until the seam has cooled and hardened,thus forming a capsule casing.

ll. Suction is released in cups 16, 18 clamping pressure against seam 55relieved, and the distended sections of the capsule casing will thenshrink by plastic memory into skintight enclosing contact with contents21. If the latter is liquid or loose or semifluid, it will be shapedinto the bubble form of capsule C (FIGS. 9, 10) by the shrinking actionof the casing.

12. Cups 16, 18 are separated, releasing the finished capsule C which isthen removed from the apparatus for subsequent handling.

In the discharge method of FIG. 10, suction is maintained orreestablished in upper cup 18 while suction is released in lower cup 16,whereby the capsule C is pressed upwardly into cup 18 by the contractionof lower pocket 15, sufficiently to establish a suction cup grip oncapsule C by cup 18, while the lower cup 16 is removed. Suction in uppercup 18 is then released, in order to discharge the capsule therefrom.

Where the invention is utilized for encapsulating liquids or semifluid(flowable) materials, the receptacle pocket is kept distended by suctionin its cup 16 throughout the process until the capsule has been sealed,in order to avoid overflowing the pocket 15 caused by its contraction inresponse to suetion release.

I claim:

1. Encapsulating apparatus comprising:

A suction cup having a rim defining its mouth;

Means resiliently mounting said suction cup;

An annular heat-sealing electrode encircling said rim adjacent thereto;

Means for holding a heat-sealable plastic film across said rim;

Means for applying suction within said cup so as to draw said film intothe cup in bubble form to provide a receptacle pocket for contentmaterial, with a marginal portion of said film extended over said rim;

Means for pressing a cover film simultaneously against the entire saidmarginal portion of the receptacle film outside said pocket, said coverfilm pressing means being a suction cup disposed above saidreceptacle-forming cup in opposed aligned relation thereto, and operableto form a cover pocket in said cover film to receive the upper portionof said content material;

And means for heating said electrode so as to heat-seal said films toone another simultaneously around said rim, whereby to produce a sealedcasing enclosing said content material.

2. Encapsulating apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said pressingmeans corn rises:

An upper suction cup aving means for suction drawing said cover filminto a cover pocket in opposed relation to said receptacle pocket.

3. Encapsulating apparatus comprising:

A suction cup having a rim defining its mouth;

An annular heat-sealing electrode encircling said rim adjacent thereto;

Means for holding a heat-sealable plastic film across said rim;

'Means for applying suction within said cup so as to draw said film intothe cup in bubble form to provide a receptacle pocket for contentmaterial; with a marginal portion of said film extended over said rim;

Means for pressing a cover film against said marginal portion of thereceptacle film outside said pocket;

Said cover film pressing means comprising:

An upper suction cup disposed above said receptacleforming cup inopposed relation thereto, and operable to form a cover pocket in saidcover film to receive the upper portion of said content material, andsaid upper suction cup having means for suction drawing said cover filminto a cover pocket in opposed relation to said receptacle pocket;

Means for heating said electrode so as to heat-seal said films to oneanother around said rim, whereby to produce a sealed casing enclosingsaid content material;

And a vacuum frame into which said suction cups are insertable, saidframe having means for applying suction between said films to evacuateair from said casing just prior to scaling the same.

2. Encapsulating apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said pressingmeans comprises: An upper suction cup having means for suction drawingsaid cover film into a cover pocket in opposed relation to saidreceptacle pocket.
 3. Encapsulating apparatus comprising: A suction cuphaving a rim defining its mouth; An annular heat-sealing electrodeencircling said rim adjacent thereto; Means for holding a heat-sealableplastic film across said rim; Means for applying suction within said cupso as to draw said film into the cup in bubble form to provide areceptacle pocket for content material; with a marginal portion of saidfilm extended over said rim; Means for pressing a cover film againstsaid marginal portion of the receptacle film outside said pocket; Saidcover film pressing means comprising: An upper suction cup disposedabove said receptacle-forming cup in opposed relation thereto, andoperable to form a cover pocket in said cover film to receive the upperportion of said content material, and said upper suction cup havingmeans for suction drawing said cover film into a cover pocket in opposedrelation to said receptacle pocket; Means for heating said electrode soas to heat-seal said films to one another around said rim, whereby toproduce a sealed casing enclosing said content material; And a vacuumframe into which said suction cups are insertable, said frame havingmeans for applying suction between said films to evacuate air from saidcasing just prior to sealing the same.